You can now increase cost-effectiveness and reduce waste in your online print packaging business by incorporating a 3D packaging design software with it. But how?Â
Global retail cannot do without e-commerce at the moment. With more than 5 billion internet users and on the rise, there has been a continuous spurt in online transactions.
In fact, online retail sales are projected to reach over $8 trillion globally by 2027, with this number growing further over years. This surge is explained by the trend of personalized packaging that amplifies online shopping experience through multiple customization choices and actual real-life previews of any design.
While 2D design methods are simple and widely used on the web to print for the packaging industry, they lack depth and real-time visualization of complex designs. That’s where 3D designs take a shine, offering superior advantages over 2D designs used in the packaging printing industry. In this post, we’ll be disclosing 5 reasons why you must integrate a 3D packaging design software with your online print store.
5 Reasons Why 3D Packaging Design Software is Essential
Here are 5 reasons why acquiring a 3D package design software is a must for your web to print business:
Reason 1: Enhanced Branding and Customer Experience
Unlike generic templates, 3D package design tools offer complete design freedom, allowing customers to create packaging that truly reflects their brand’s personality. They can choose any color, font, logo, or even custom shapes and textures.Â
For example, a children’s toy brand can have fun and playful packaging with cartoon themes on the box. A high-end jewelry brand might go with a sleek minimalist design accented with metals.Â
Further to this, packaging becomes an extension of a brand’s story by incorporating illustration, a pattern that includes custom inserts highlighting brand values. For instance, using recycled materials and nature-themed illustrations would suit an eco-friendly brand. Moreover, because 3D software facilitates specific lighting effects and textures in design rendering, it more reflects what packaging designs will truly look like in their final form.
Customers can design unique opening mechanisms, compartments, or hidden messages, adding excitement and engagement to the unboxing experience. Besides, 3D software ensures brand consistency by creating design templates that can be applied across various packaging sizes.
Reason 2: Much More Accurate and Faster Designs
Traditional 2D drawings can lead to errors and miscommunication in production. On the contrary, 3D visualization allows for a digital model of packaging to be prepared and virtually walked through for inspection at one’s convenience.
This facilitates detection of flaws, such as size discrepancies or clashing of components, and mitigates them before any expenditure on making prototypes is incurred. Thus, this avoids expensive mistakes and rework.Â
On other hand, high-fidelity 3D renders give an almost real view of packaging, with textures, light, and graphics present. This enables your customers to spot and correct design problems like color variations or text readability early on.Â
3D visualizations also act as a universal language, establishing clear communication between designers, clients, and manufacturers. Thus, reducing risk of misunderstandings. Unlike 2D drawings, which require that changes be made by redrawing, 3D software allows adjustments to a design in real time.Â
Customers can see straight away how modifications impact the design, thereby fast-tracking decision-making and iteration. Moreover, most 3D design software packages include a plethora of pre-built templates for a variety of packaging types, such as boxes, tubes, or pouches. This enables quick customization and brand consistency across a product line while reducing development time.
Reason 3: It’s Cost-Effective and Produces Less Waste
Traditional 2D design in packaging typically relies on expensive and time-consuming physical prototypes that bring out design flaws. On the contrary, 3D software allows for virtual prototyping, disposing of multiple physical iterations and reducing costs associated with materials, labor, and shipping.Â
As mentioned before 3D visualization fixes design issues like size discrepancies or component clashes. If they can be identified and resolved early in the design phase this prevents costly errors and waste during production. What’s more, 3D software provides highly accurate measurements clinching a perfect fit for a product and abolishing need for excess materials or oversized packaging. This translates to cost savings and lower shipping costs for your e-commerce store.
The 3D design tool will allow your customers to experiment with different virtual materials to find the best balance between cost, performance, and environmental impact. It helps create form-fitting packaging that minimizes wasted space and material, leading to further cost savings and a reduced environmental footprint.
Reason 4: Streamlining Production Workflow and Efficiency
3D models serve as a common reference for everyone involved in production, from designers and engineers to manufacturers and suppliers, ensuring clear communication and reducing misunderstandings.Â
Many 3D design programs can automatically generate files in industry-standard formats used by manufacturing equipment, saving time and reducing errors. 3D software also includes tools for Design for Manufacturing (DFM) analysis, identifying potential production challenges early on.Â
This allows for design adjustments to improve manufacturability, such as reducing parts or simplifying shapes. A 3D design tool also empowers virtual assembly simulations to identify issues with compatibility or functionality before physical production.Â
While virtual stress testing, that too with this tool guarantees packaging can withstand transportation and handling. These measures minimize delays and ensure a smooth manufacturing process.
Reason 5: Expand Packaging product Offerings and Attract New Clients
3D design software offers more design possibilities than traditional 2D methods, allowing for complex shapes, intricate details, and unique functionalities. This equips customers to create innovative packaging that stands out and attracts new clients seeking premium options.
With 3D software, design iteration and customization are faster. Real-time changes let designers quickly explore various options and cater to specific client needs, facilitating creation of personalized packaging variations from a single template. This speeds up turnaround times and improves responsiveness.
What’s more, 3D design visualizations intensify client communication and presentations. Realistic renders and interactive prototypes help clients clearly visualize packaging and understand its functionality, leading to a more collaborative design process and building trust between designers and clients.
Conclusion
Integrating 3D packaging design software into your online print store brings countless benefits. It magnifies customer experience and simplifies production workflows, helping your business prospers. For a user-oriented solution, consider web to print solutions with the DesignO tool by DesignNBuy.Â
Our solution offers an unmatched experience for your customers. They can decorate text or logos with various foil options and standard colors and view their creations in both 2D and 3D. Your customers can also visualize their designs on specific products and backgrounds.
Our online 3D design software allows full packaging customization, with instant quotes based on chosen materials, finishes, and quantities. Your customers can customize the base, lid, and create custom belly bands.Â
Editable templates for retail packaging in different shapes and sizes are also available, with easy configuration for irregular shapes. In addition, our 3D design tool offers multiple options like materials, colors, and hole quantities for added convenience and choice. So, choose 3D packaging design software by DesignNBuy and secure a loyal clientele for your online print store!
